Questions Wal-Mart opponents' reasoning

Editor,

Pertaining to all the talk about the Wal-Mart issue here in Polson, I'd like to interject this question: Why all the unmitigated venom and hypocrisy by some who are in the ranks of the opposed on the subject?

We have been reading all the letters to the Leader on this subject with great interest and those comments pro and con by the local high school students (these in the recent Salishian section of the Leader).

When I use the term hypocrisy I'm not zeroing in on the students. I think it's fine that they are brought into this by their civics teachers.

My question would just be what forces have brought some of these kids into the ranks of the anti's?

Normally young folks wouldn't yet have any axes to grind on this issue.

Recently Costco stores made a move and a vast expansion of their operation in Kalispell. During and before their move, while reading the Leader and the Daily Inter Lake, we saw not one letter in opposition or pro to that happening. We did, however, see a recent letter to the Inter Lake from a Polson writer in opposition to the Polson Wal-Mart expansion.

That and the avalanche of other writers opposing speaks volumes to me about not only hypocrisy, but also shows an unjust vendetta by some.

That's why I have used the term hypocrisy. Many of those on the street who are opposed, I contend, just feel it popular to get on the bandwagon of dissent — possibly because of a friend, relative, or neighbor's comment or urgings.

There's more to this, however. Wal-Mart employees have time and again turned down big labor or their tries to represent them nationally. This has profoundly piqued these labor leaders and it is they who I believe are the driving force behind a lot of undue war waging against not only Wal-Mart — but also, by them, it's become retribution time toward those defiant employees.

Lastly, I would ask all to think about the present costs of fuel for your cars. It's costly enough now to make us think twice about our trips north or south to shop. Will you be ready to consider this now, or will it take a total blowout in the continuing strained relations with Venezuela and Iran? Your gas then (and it could be soon) will be costing you and me as much as $5 a gallon.

I'm not only going to hope for a speedy start to the Wal-Mart expansion, I'm going to start praying for it.

Will Elliott

Polson